Horse Racing News by Claire Novak

Trainer Pat Byrne had Take Charge Indy sharp for the $339,900 Alysheba Stakes presented by Besilu Stables at Churchill Downs, and the 2012 Florida Derby winner delivered May 3 with a powerful six-length victory.

Derby favorite gives owners, Hall of Fame trainer rare shot at a Derby victory

At this time in 2012, Wise Dan had just accomplished a record-setting romp in the Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland, but had yet to register the four additional graded stakes wins that would bring him Horse of the Year and two other Eclipse Awards.

Giant Finish, third in the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes on March 23, will enter the May 4 Kentucky Derby, trainer Anthony Dutrow confirmed April 30.

Stonestreet Stables' homebred filly Dreaming of Julia was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Every morning this Kentucky Derby week, as owners and jockeys fly into town and trainers oversee final preparations for the chance of a lifetime, unheralded men and women quietly swing astride the runners they have guided to the first Saturday in May.

Vyjack, third behind Verrazano and Normandy Invasion in the Wood Memorial last time out, led a small group of workers for the upcoming Kentucky Derby on the morning of April 26 at Churchill Downs. Also on the tab were Falling Sky and Golden Soul.

Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing rolled to a strong 3 1/4-length victory in the $750,000 Illinois Derby April 20 at Hawthorne Racecourse, proving his class after a third-place finish in the last month's Louisiana Derby.

Alto Racing's Winning Cause got up in the final strides of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes April 20 at Keeneland, earning 20 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Prep season is over for the leading contenders in this year's Kentucky Derby, but two "wild card" races remain to offer longshots a chance at making the field.